Category: General

The Ministry of Education, Arts and Culture (MoEAC) said the overall recruitment into the public service of teachers is at the discretion of the Prime Minister as the employer, on the recommendation of the Public Service Commission (PSC).

This was said by Acting Executive Director (ED) in the MoEAC, Knox Otto Imbuwa in response to demands by unemployed teachers in the Kavango West and East regions, for mass recruitment with immediate effect.

The unemployed teachers in a media statement further demanded for interviews to be abolished and for the ministry to build more classrooms before the end of this financial year while threatening to close down regional education offices if issues are not addressed in 14 days.

Imbuwa said: “While we respect and appreciate your views with regard to employment opportunities within the public service, the challenge of employment is a nationwide predicament that the Government of Namibia is fully aware of and thus is not peculiar to the education ministry.”

He said the ministry is obliged to recruit its personnel in accordance with applicable laws and policies, noting that the majority of teaching students are graduating in fields of specialisation that are already saturated, creating an oversupply of teachers in certain fields of study.

The acting ED further refuted allegations by the unemployed teachers, that there are over 2 000 children under the age of 16 without spaces in schools and that 70 to 80 per cent of schools across the country are understaffed.

The ministry, he explained is unaware of learners who could not be placed in Government schools for the 2023 academic year due to a lack of space, and called on the affected parents to approach the ministry’s offices in the various regions to seek assistance.

The ministry, he further explained “is however aware of five unregistered community schools in Kavango East with a total of 654 learners and has attended to this matter by advising and referring the parents and their learners to nearby Government schools for their registration and absorption”.

Funding for the emergency construction of 14 classrooms at Ndama south, was also allocated.

Kavango East has 45 schools with 40 to 80 learners in a class, he indicated.

Source: The Namibian Press Agency

The five Rottweiler dogs that viciously attacked a security guard at Oshakati on Sunday, leading to his death, were put down on Monday.

Deputy Commissioner Theophilus Kamati of the Oshana Namibian Police Force on Monday said that all the dogs were put down following the attack on 44-year-old Ruben Abraham early on Sunday morning.

Since this incident, another man was also attacked by the same dogs while coming from work, Kamati said. This victim escaped unharmed.

Abraham was attacked by the five dogs at a business area in Oshakati while he was on his way home from work. The dogs belong to a 42-year-old Chinese businesswoman.

Abraham died Sunday in the Oshakati State Hospital’s intensive care unit where he was admitted.

“All the dogs were put down today, during the morning hours,” Kamati said Monday.

He said a case of murder has been opened against the owner of the dogs, and police investigations continue.

Source: The Namibian Press Agency

Over 850 indirect jobs are envisaged to be generated through the Green Charcoal Namibia (GCN) factory in Arandis in the fields of production, transport, machinery manufacturing, engineering and export.

The N.dollars 60 million investment, which was officially inaugurated at the town on Monday, currently employs over 50 people and is set to add an additional 30 jobs by 2025.

GCN, which specialises in the processing of charcoal and briquettes, is backed by the Belgian charcoal company Carbobois, which exports across Europe since 1982 and currently procures its products from Namibia.

Speaking at the event here, Minister in the Presidency Christine ||Hoebes said the inception of the project represents a clear and resolute commitment to environmental conservation, clean energy and the well-being of the communities.

She added that it embodies the spirit of Namibia’s determination to embrace innovation and lead in the pursuit of a greener, more sustainable future.

“The production of green charcoal is not just an industrial process; it is a testament to our commitment to responsible resource management and a sustainable future. Green charcoal is a cleaner, more environmentally friendly alternative to traditional charcoal production methods and producing it, we aim to reduce carbon emissions, preserve our precious forests, and significantly lower the environmental impact of energy consumption,” she expressed.

Erongo Governor Neville Andre Itope in a speech delivered on his behalf, commended the leadership of Arandis for their foresight to relentlessly look for opportunities to diversify and unlock the local economy.

“The town of Arandis experienced its own setbacks in the late 1990s and early 2000s when the uranium price started to decline, this situation resulted in the town positioning itself to lessen its dependency on uranium by diversifying its economic base, through various intervention strategies aimed at local economic development production in Namibia.”

GCN directors Jean-Daniel Goblet and Cedric Schmidt said the company’s activities are expected to bring in N.dollars 200 million into the Namibian economy by 2024.

“Looking ahead to 2024, GCN has already secured contracts for the delivery of 30 000 tons of packaged charcoal and 8 000 tons of FSC-certified packaged briquettes, which translates to approximately 1 500 containers annually,” they expressed.

About 14 per cent of all Namibian charcoal exports will be produced in Arandis.

Source: The Namibian Press Agency

Secretary to Cabinet, George Simataa on Monday called on ministries and developmental organisations to dedicate resources, for the successful establishment of a national emergency operations centre and multi-hazard early warning system.

The centre, according to Simataa, would form part of Namibia’s efforts to reduce disaster risks and impacts. Simataa made the call here at the National Awareness Workshop on Emergency Operations Centres and Onsite Operations Coordination Centre.

“This ambition requires multi-discipline synergies and collaboration. In a world facing an increasing number of natural and man-made disasters, having a well-prepared and equipped emergency response system is essential for the safety and well-being of our communities. The Emergency Operations Centre/Onsite Coordination and Operation Centre provides for consolidation of massive multi-discipline data, well-informed and rapid decision-making, multi-sectoral coordination and cooperation,” Simataa added.

He stressed that the workshop is relevant, in that authorities, emergency responders, and line ministries have come together to enhance a common understanding of emergency response protocols and procedures.

“A collaborative approach in responding to disasters ensures that everyone involved is on the same page, understands their roles and eventually guarantees effective response when a disaster strikes,” Simataa noted, adding that the workshop is timely as it comes at a time when the government is rolling out nationwide humanitarian assistance as a result of drought.

The workshop will furthermore include a scenario-based exercise that simulates real-life emergencies. Representatives from the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA) Regional Office in Nairobi, Kenya and the World Food Programme in Namibia were in attendance.

Source: The Namibian Press Agency

The Minister of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety and Security, Albert Kawana said that his ministry is currently engaging stakeholders about the features and use of the eID and how it can benefit their respective institutions.

Kawana said late last week in Windhoek that the Bank of Namibia and other financial institutions are fully in support of the introduction of the national electronic ID cards. He said Cabinet has recently approved the introduction of eIDs.

“This will make it easier and faster for stakeholders to identify and authenticate the identities of their clients. In addition, the eID will also provide digital signatures to simplify transactions.

“This project is also aimed at meeting the requirements of the relevant part of the Electronic Transactions Act, which deals with electronic signatures,” he said amid public concerns that the government might use the IDs to spy on people.

Kawana said eID cards have already been introduced in numerous countries in America, Europe and Asia. The electronic identity document will include personal information such as medical records, a driver’s licence, a birth certificate, biometrics, and a voter card, Kawana said.

“That’s how beautiful that card will be. We need to move with the world. We are happy that the Bank of Namibia, commercial banks, and insurance companies are fully behind us. But we will continue to educate our members of the public about the importance of eIDs,” said the minister.

Meanwhile, Kawana said the home affairs ministry has made great efforts to automate all civic records.

“The main objective is to enhance the management of Namibian identity cards and provide more reliable, timely, and accurate services to the public. I am pleased to inform our nation that the ministry has made strides in its quest for efficient service delivery,” he said.

Source: The Namibian Press Agency

The Sanlam Kavango East Teachers Tournament concluded at the Rundu Sports Stadium on Sunday, with Ompundja circuit in the Oshana Region winning the football category.

Outapi circuit in the Omusati Region was crowned the defending champions for netball while Rundu circuit in the Kavango East Region won the volleyball category for the second consecutive year.

The tournament which kicked off on Thursday , brought together seven regions in the Ministry of Education, Arts and Culture namely, Kavango East and West, Oshana, Oshikoto, Ohangwena, Zambezi and Omusati to compete for top honours in football, netball and volleyball.

Ompundja walked away with N.dollars 9 000, a floating trophy and gold medals in the football category while Outapi circuit received N.dollars 5 000, a trophy and gold medals for winning the netball category.

The Rundu circuit which won the volleyball category walked away with N.dollars 4 000, a trophy and gold medals.

Sanlam sponsored the tournament to a tune of N.dollars 100 000.

Last year Outapi circuit won the football and netball categories.

Chairperson of the organising committee of the event, Chester Mutangara said he was satisfied, the tournament was a success and they achieved what they hoped for – bringing all seven regions in the country together.

“The main purpose of the tournament is to bring teachers together in order to know each other and share their common goals,” he said.

Sanlam Marketing and Communications Manager Laurencia Prizonsky echoed the same sentiments, saying the tournament was a success and brought together more people than she expected in just three days.

“It was good to see teachers excited as well as the learners to see them run around the field. Sanlam likes to be involved in community development and upliftment,” she said.

Prizonsky said the tournament gave the teachers time to also focus on themselves and their mental health in order to push that health through to their learners.

Source: The Namibian Press Agency

Information and Communication Technology Minister, Peya Mushelenga has said the amendments to the Communications Act of 2009 have started and that consultations and modifications have been made to the Bill.

Speaking during a Cabinet briefing here on Monday, Mushelenga noted that due to the volume of the proposed amendments, “it is suggested that the Act be repealed and replaced. The final Bill is awaited from the Ministry of Justice.”

The ministry has been reviewing the Act to address shortcomings in the legislation. The ministry had said that the review was necessary because several ICT sub-sectors have been experiencing legal hitches in enforcing and implementing some provisions of the Communication Act that was implemented in 2011.

The Act was enacted for the regulation of telecommunication services and networks, broadcasting, postal services, and the use and allocation of the radio spectrum.

Mushelenga was briefing the media on major initiatives carried out by his ministry at the inaugural Cabinet committee briefings.

He said the briefings by chairpersons of various Cabinet committees are meant to improve the dissemination of information on Government projects, programmes and activities for the benefit of all.

He said the government is committed to improving its operational efficiency and effectiveness.

“One of our immediate interventions is to change the focus and strategy of our communication by aligning this to the foundations of the country’s national development frameworks,” he said.

Ministers will be briefing the public through the media on key decisions and plans made in respect of Government projects and the implementation thereof.

In terms of legislation and policy, he said his ministry is redrafting the Cybercrime Bill as directed by the Cabinet Committee on Legislation (CCL).

“The Cybersecurity Policy and Legislative Framework have been drafted to accompany the Bill. The Bill will be subject to public consultations before its re-submission to CCL, which will then direct on the next course of action,” the minister said.

He added that the Data Protection Bill which was redrafted following regional consultations and a validation workshop, is ready for submission to CCL.

Among others, the ministry is also developing the National Digital Strategy and its Implementation Action Plan, which will guide Namibia’s digital transformation journey.

“The Cabinet decision on the 5G strategy is being implemented. This includes the establishment of the National Cyber Security Incident Response Team to serve as the focal point for cybersecurity matters,” said Mushelenga.

Source: The Namibian Press Agency